Other Sports Which do you consider a professional athlete?

Luke · 01-21-2010, 10:12 PM

Some would say NASCAR drivers are not athletes since thier sport does not involve a "ball". However it seems that drivers and pit crews devote much time to physcial training.

Cannibal · 01-21-2010, 10:16 PM

Interesting question.

Cannibal · 01-21-2010, 10:16 PM

I voted Pro Golfers.

**luv** · 01-21-2010, 10:18 PM

So we can only think of one of them as professional athletes?

Cannibal · 01-21-2010, 10:19 PM

I can't bring myself to call any activity in which you spend the entire time sitting down a sport.

HMc · 01-21-2010, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cannibal

I can't bring myself to call any activity in which you spend the entire time sitting down a sport.

Then you're idiot. Rowers (at least the olympic level ones) would be fitter than NFL, MLB or NBA players in about every way

soundmind · 01-21-2010, 10:20 PM

Driving cars fast and bowling are both entertaining, but neither is a sport.

That's laughable man.

RustShack · 01-21-2010, 10:21 PM

I don't really think of any of them as "athletes". Not taking anything away from them at all or anything, but I don't think of debate teams or chess players as athletes either. Hell I don't even consider a Cheerleader as an athlete but they at least to physical shit.. or so they say when the bitch saying they are athletes.

Spott · 01-21-2010, 10:24 PM

None of them are athletes, but Nascar drivers do stand a decent chance of getting hurt every time they race.

**luv** · 01-21-2010, 10:26 PM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athlete

* Sportsperson, a person who participates regularly in a sport
o Athlete (track and field), a sportsperson who participates in track and field athletics more specifically
* Athlete (band), an English indie rock band
o Athlete (EP), an EP by the band
* ATHLETE (film), a 2009 sports documentary film
* ATHLETE (robot), All-Terrain Hex-Legged Extra-Terrestrial Explorer, a lunar rover under development by NASA
* Athletes (moth), a Saturniinae moth genus

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sport

Sport is an activity that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often engaged in competitively. Sports commonly refer to activities where the physical capabilities of the competitor are the sole or primary determinant of the outcome (winning or losing), but the term is also used to include activities such as mind sports (a common name for some card games and board games with little to no element of chance) and motor sports where mental acuity or equipment quality are major factors. Sport is commonly defined as an organized, competitive and skillful physical activity requiring commitment and fair play. Some view sports as differing from games based on the fact that there are usually higher levels of organization and profit (not always monetary) involved in sports. Accurate records are kept and updated for most sports at the highest levels, while failures and accomplishments are widely announced in sport news.

Sports that are subjectively judged are distinct from other judged activities such as beauty pageants and bodybuilding shows, because in the former the activity performed is the primary focus of evaluation, rather than the physical attributes of the contestant as in the latter (although "presentation" or "presence" may also be judged in both activities).

Sports are most often played just for fun or for the simple fact that people need exercise to stay in good physical condition.

Although they do not always succeed, sports participants are expected to display good sportsmanship, standards of conduct such as being respectful of opponents and officials, and congratulating the winner when losing.

RJ · 01-21-2010, 10:26 PM

Professional athletes are the ones who get paid.

soundmind · 01-21-2010, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJ

Professional athletes are the ones who get paid.

I'd have to agree, you're a professional the first time they pay you to play.

However, athlete is the operative word. No one is doubting the paid portion.

JD10367 · 01-21-2010, 10:27 PM

Not sure I'd call any of them (driving, golfing, bowling) "athletic". They're a skill, to be sure. So is archery. To me, an athlete is someone who deals with a.) muscles and coordination and b.) sweating. And, yeah, it takes muscles and coordination to swing a golf club, but it's still not like playing basketball, football, hockey, baseball, soccer, or even Olympic stuff like swimming and skiing.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 01-21-2010, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JD10367

Not sure I'd call any of them (driving, golfing, bowling) "athletic". They're a skill, to be sure. So is archery. To me, an athlete is someone who deals with a.) muscles and coordination and b.) sweating. And, yeah, it takes muscles and coordination to swing a golf club, but it's still not like playing basketball, football, hockey, baseball, soccer, or even Olympic stuff like swimming and skiing.

The biggest problem with the conception against golf being a sport has to do with ****ing caddies.

If guys on the PGA Tour had to lug their own sticks while playing those rounds, you'd find a much fitter breed of players. That said, most golfers today are far, far more athletic than their kin of 20 years ago.

Walk 18 holes on a hilly course in the summer heat. Trust me, you'll sweat your ****ing sac off.

View Poll Results: Who do you consider athletes?
NASCAR drivers	18	28.13%
Professional golfers	28	43.75%
Professonal bowlers	5	7.81%
Gaz, just because	13	20.31%
Voters: 64. You may not vote on this poll

01-21-2010, 10:12 PM	Topic Starter
Luke Starter Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Earth Casino cash: $10004900	Which do you consider a professional athlete? Some would say NASCAR drivers are not athletes since thier sport does not involve a "ball". However it seems that drivers and pit crews devote much time to physcial training.
Posts: 345

01-21-2010, 10:16 PM	#2
Cannibal Better to burn out... Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Bible Thumping Country Casino cash: $10010618	Interesting question.
Posts: 9,306

01-21-2010, 10:16 PM	#3
Cannibal Better to burn out... Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Bible Thumping Country Casino cash: $10010618	I voted Pro Golfers.
Posts: 9,306

01-21-2010, 10:18 PM	#4
luv You think you can get by this? Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Springfield, MO Casino cash: $-1170000	So we can only think of one of them as professional athletes?
Posts: 63,558

01-21-2010, 10:19 PM	#5
Cannibal Better to burn out... Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Bible Thumping Country Casino cash: $10010618	I can't bring myself to call any activity in which you spend the entire time sitting down a sport.
Posts: 9,306

01-21-2010, 10:20 PM	#7
soundmind EB:29 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Kansas City, MO Casino cash: $10004900	Driving cars fast and bowling are both entertaining, but neither is a sport. That's laughable man.
Posts: 1,042

01-21-2010, 10:21 PM	#8
RustShack **** That Noise Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Jack Trice Casino cash: $3136954	I don't really think of any of them as "athletes". Not taking anything away from them at all or anything, but I don't think of debate teams or chess players as athletes either. Hell I don't even consider a Cheerleader as an athlete but they at least to physical shit.. or so they say when the bitch saying they are athletes. __________________
Posts: 15,119

01-21-2010, 10:24 PM	#10
Spott Court Jester Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Orlando Casino cash: $-607600	None of them are athletes, but Nascar drivers do stand a decent chance of getting hurt every time they race.
Posts: 20,674

01-21-2010, 10:26 PM	#11
luv You think you can get by this? Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Springfield, MO Casino cash: $-1170000	http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athlete * Sportsperson, a person who participates regularly in a sport o Athlete (track and field), a sportsperson who participates in track and field athletics more specifically * Athlete (band), an English indie rock band o Athlete (EP), an EP by the band * ATHLETE (film), a 2009 sports documentary film * ATHLETE (robot), All-Terrain Hex-Legged Extra-Terrestrial Explorer, a lunar rover under development by NASA * Athletes (moth), a Saturniinae moth genus http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sport Sport is an activity that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often engaged in competitively. Sports commonly refer to activities where the physical capabilities of the competitor are the sole or primary determinant of the outcome (winning or losing), but the term is also used to include activities such as mind sports (a common name for some card games and board games with little to no element of chance) and motor sports where mental acuity or equipment quality are major factors. Sport is commonly defined as an organized, competitive and skillful physical activity requiring commitment and fair play. Some view sports as differing from games based on the fact that there are usually higher levels of organization and profit (not always monetary) involved in sports. Accurate records are kept and updated for most sports at the highest levels, while failures and accomplishments are widely announced in sport news. Sports that are subjectively judged are distinct from other judged activities such as beauty pageants and bodybuilding shows, because in the former the activity performed is the primary focus of evaluation, rather than the physical attributes of the contestant as in the latter (although "presentation" or "presence" may also be judged in both activities). Sports are most often played just for fun or for the simple fact that people need exercise to stay in good physical condition. Although they do not always succeed, sports participants are expected to display good sportsmanship, standards of conduct such as being respectful of opponents and officials, and congratulating the winner when losing.
Posts: 63,558

01-21-2010, 10:26 PM	#12
RJ Supporter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: In a shotgun shack Casino cash: $9895202	Professional athletes are the ones who get paid.
Posts: 14,937

01-21-2010, 10:27 PM	#14
JD10367 Cheaterlover* Join Date: May 2009 Location: RI Casino cash: $10010716	Not sure I'd call any of them (driving, golfing, bowling) "athletic". They're a skill, to be sure. So is archery. To me, an athlete is someone who deals with a.) muscles and coordination and b.) sweating. And, yeah, it takes muscles and coordination to swing a golf club, but it's still not like playing basketball, football, hockey, baseball, soccer, or even Olympic stuff like swimming and skiing.
Posts: 12,916